Crystal River current., 1887-03-19

dozen questions and was quite inter-
ested about you, and this morning
flies off without stopping to set eyes
on you"
smile curled Charles upper lip.
'.She is lovely" he said. ''1t is very
unkind of her,
s.Nasty little vixen" retorted Leslie.
In his heart Charlie was secretly
provoked. Leslic's sisters were nice,
cherry. fresh-looking girls, but they
could not hold a candle to Lillian. He
was dying to see her again. He had
never felt such an interest in girl be-
fore. She did not make her appear
ance that evening, and the following
morning at breakfast she was still alb
sent. He was piqued. 1t was simply
ridiculous for her to 60 on stunning
him on account of q stupid little con-
tretemps that might have happened to
any one.
I'm afraid" he remarked with a
touch of pigue. as they were standing
in the hall waiting to start on their
shooting expedition; ''Fm afraid it is
1 who am driving Miss Fannie out of
the house."
"Humbug!' returned Captain Les
lie. "Why should you?' Then. as a
sudden thought struck him. he turned
on his heel and went into the morning
room.
Mother" he said, ask Mrs. Gray
to dine tonight, and make Lillian come
back, whether or no."
As Mr.. West was gentleman of in.
dependent fortune, and she had three
daughters, Mrs. Leslie was not alto.
gether displeased at the pretty cousin
having absented herself.
"Of course l will ask them, my
dear" she replied; "but they are so
busy with their bazar that am not at
all sure l shall persuade them to
come"
"If you don't" observed Leslie
pointcdly, .'West will fancy you are
keeping Lii out of the way on pur-
pose. l am pretty sure he thinks SO
now."
"Georger exclaimed his mother in
dignantly. .'how can you say anything
so absurd?'
..Well, take my advice, and have
her back night" and Captain Leslie
departed without giving his mother
any time to make rejoiner.
He had. however, said quite enough.
Mrs. Leslie forthwith put on her bon
hCO ihu "ChI soWA " lCCUoIys Suc
found Mrs. Grey and Lillian sitting un-
pretense of needlework. Mrs. Leslie
greeted both affectionately. 1--WE par
ticuarly wanted you to come up and
dine with us to o-night," she said to the
rectoress; land this naughty truant
must not remain away longer" smil-
ing sweetly on Lillian.
''Oh, aunty, we are so busy" cried
the young lady, plying her needle Wig
orously.
You must not quite forget, my
love. that you are my guest. said her
aunt, with a certain amount of dignity
and tone that implied reproof.
Lillian understood it and colored
deeply.
Il shall be delighted to dine." inter-
posed Mrs Grey, hastily; land you
must not blame me for monopolizing
so much of Ii ans time"
Il do not blame any one." returned
Mrs. Leslie. naively; "but l hope to
see ynu both at dinner tonight"
So. as Miss Lillian had no desire to
offend her aunt, she overcame her re.
pugnance to meeting Mr.. West, and,
10 that gentleman's great delight, he
had the pleasure of taking her to din
ner that same evening. Two or three
neighbors had been invited. But. al
though Charlie had an immense fund
OF small talk and was reputed excel
lent company. he failed altogether in
inspiring any interest in his fair neigh
bor. She appeared as she was, per-
fectly uncomfortable, and only respond
ed to his sallies by monosyllables.
1t was glorious moonlight night,
and after dinner some of the young
people went out into the gardens.
Charlie watched his opportunity and
pounced on Lillian. keeping her engage
ed in conversation until they were
separated some little distance from the
others. Then he said suddenly. and
without a slight flutter at his heart:
"Whv will you not speak to meP
Surely it is not my fault that such
stupid little accident should have oc-
cured. Why need you bear malice
because was put in the room that
your brother had been occupying?"
In the moonlight he could see the
swift crimson racing through her fair
skin.
Ill shall never, never get over itr'
she said. putting up her hands to cover
the flames that were burning her face.
What can you have thought of me?
If-if anyone were to know it l should
never hold up my head again"
Il hope you think l am gentle
man." cried Charlie, Indignantly. Il
suppose you don't think one word
would ever pass my lips on the sub
ject9"
'Will you swear it?" said the dis
comfited maiden.
And he sworc by all his goods. At
ter that she became more friendly.
He had up to this time entertained a
rooted aversion 10 matrimony-even
now he could not quite make up his
mind to propose to Lillian, but thought
he would wait and see how he felt. He
was delighted to find that she lived in
London, and struck up tremendous
friendship with her brother, whom he